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Plantar Fasciitis: Should I Have Surgery for Heel Pain?

You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Plantar Fasciitis: Should I Have Surgery for Heel Pain?

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2

3

YourFeelings

4

YourDecision

5

QuizYourself

6

Your Summary

Get the facts

Your options

Have surgery for plantar fasciitis.

Try other treatment to see if your heel pain improves.

Key points to remember

You will probably not need surgery. Only about 5% of
people with plantar fasciitis do.footnote 1 This means that out
of 100 people with plantar fasciitis, only 5 will need surgery and 95 will
not. Experts suggest that you try at least 6 months of other treatment before
you consider surgery.

Surgery may be right for you if you keep
having bad heel pain after 6 to 12 months of home treatment. You might also
think about surgery if heel pain is affecting your ability to work or do
moderate exercise.

If you do need surgery, it will most likely
reduce your heel pain. Of the few people who need surgery, about 75 out of
100 have less pain than they did before surgery.footnote 2

Having surgery is not a guarantee that your heel
pain will go away. About 25 out of 100 people who have surgery continue to have
heel pain.footnote 3

Plantar fasciitis (say
"PLAN-ter fash-ee-EYE-tus") causes heel pain, which often becomes long-lasting
(chronic). It can happen when the long, flat ligament on the bottom of the foot
(plantar fascia) becomes strained and starts to get small tears. These can cause
the ligament to become weak, swollen, and irritated (inflamed).

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain when
you take your first steps after getting out of bed or after sitting for a long
time.

Ongoing heel pain will make walking and standing painful. To relieve the
pain, you may change the way you walk. Over time, this may lead to more
discomfort and pain as well as other foot, leg, hip, or back problems.
Long-term (chronic) plantar fasciitis may limit your ability to work and enjoy
exercise or play sports.

Surgery is usually not needed for plantar fasciitis. Most
people (95%) who have plantar fasciitis are able to relieve heel pain without
surgery.footnote 1 This means that out of 100 people who have
plantar fasciitis, 95 are able to relieve their pain without surgery and 5 are
not.

Surgery for plantar fasciitis involves
cutting (releasing) part of the plantar fascia
ligament to release the tension and relieve swelling. It may be done as open surgery, in which the surgeon makes a cut (incision) through the area. Or it may be done by inserting surgical tools through very small incisions (endoscopic surgery).

Treatment is easy to follow
and is usually successful if you begin soon after symptoms start.

Out of 100 people who try other treatment for heel pain, 95 are able to get
relief.

You avoid the cost and risks of
surgery.

If this
treatment doesn't work, you may still have pain that limits your daily
activities.

You may still need to have surgery later.

Personal stories about surgery for plantar fasciitis

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

I know that
I am not the kind of person who can completely stop running for as long as it
would take to heal my plantar fasciitis. The non-surgical treatments, like ice
and my night splint, help relieve the pain, but the problem isn't getting any
better. I know there are risks involved in having surgery, and I'm willing to
accept that chance if I can keep running. My doctor has done a lot of plantar
fascia surgery, and she says that I will probably be able to run again within a
few weeks.

John, age
37

I have been thinking of looking for a
different job for several years now. Right now, I am on my feet all day and
I've gradually developed a lot of heel pain that my doctor says is due to
plantar fasciitis. She says it may be related to the fact that I stand all day
at work. I really don't want to have surgery, so I'm going to try some of the
treatments she suggested while I look for another job that won't require me to
stand all day.

Tomas,
age 50

I feel like I have given all the plantar
fasciitis treatments a fair trial. I've had the problem for over a year now,
and even though it has gotten a little better, the pain still interferes with
my ability to walk or stand comfortably for very long. I'm no athlete, but I
want to be able to walk comfortably. I heard that most people have less pain
after surgery, so that's my next step.

Mary Ann, age 45

It is
ironic that my plantar fasciitis didn't start until I started walking as part
of my weight-loss program. Losing weight is supposed to help plantar fasciitis!
My doctor said it isn't unusual for people like me, who have been inactive for
a long time, to get heel pain when they start to exercise. He recommended some
home treatments, like stretching, icing my foot, and doing another form of
exercise such as riding a stationary bicycle, while still working to lose
weight. It's been over 6 months, and my foot is definitely getting better, but
slowly. But the fact that it is improving gives me hope that I can avoid
surgery.

Kate, age
47

What matters most to you?

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

Reasons to have surgery

Reasons to choose other treatment

I'm not willing to go through 6 to 12 months of home treatment.

I'm willing to go through 6 to 12 months of home treatment.

More important

Equally important

More important

I can't do daily activities because of my heel pain.

My heel pain doesn't prevent me from doing my daily activities.

More important

Equally important

More important

I accept the risks of surgery.

I feel that surgery is too risky for me.

More important

Equally important

More important

I want to have surgery so I can feel better right now.

I don't want to have surgery for any reason.

More important

Equally important

More important

I've already tried other treatment, and it hasn't worked.

I haven't tried other treatment yet.

More important

Equally important

More important

My other important reasons:

My other important reasons:

More important

Equally important

More important

Where are you leaning now?

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.

Having surgery

Using other treatment

Leaning toward

Undecided

Leaning toward

What else do you need to make your decision?

Check the facts

1.1, Do most people with plantar fasciitis need surgery?

YesSorry, that's not right. Only about 5 out of 100 people with plantar fasciitis need surgery.

NoYou're right. Only about 5 out of 100 people with plantar fasciitis need surgery.

I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." Only about 5 out of 100 people with plantar fasciitis need surgery.

2.2, Will surgery always cure your heel pain?

YesSorry, that's not right. Having surgery is not a guarantee that your heel pain will go away. About 25 out of 100 people who have surgery continue to have heel pain.

NoYou're right. Having surgery is not a guarantee that your heel pain will go away. About 25 out of 100 people who have surgery continue to have heel pain.

I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." Having surgery is not a guarantee that your heel pain will go away. About 25 out of 100 people who have surgery continue to have heel pain.

3.3, If you have already tried treatment at home and you still have heel pain, should you think about having surgery?

YesYou are right. You might think about surgery if you've tried treatment at home for 6 to 12 months and you still have bad heel pain.

NoSorry, that's not right. You might think about surgery if you've tried treatment at home for 6 to 12 months and you still have bad heel pain.

I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." You might think about surgery if you've tried treatment at home for 6 to 12 months and you still have bad heel pain.

You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Plantar Fasciitis: Should I Have Surgery for Heel Pain?

Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.

Get the facts

Compare your options

What matters most to you?

Where are you leaning now?

What else do you need to make your decision?

1. Get the Facts

Your options

Have surgery for plantar fasciitis.

Try other treatment to see if your heel pain improves.

Key points to remember

You will probably not need surgery. Only about 5% of
people with plantar fasciitis do.1 This means that out
of 100 people with plantar fasciitis, only 5 will need surgery and 95 will
not. Experts suggest that you try at least 6 months of other treatment before
you consider surgery.

Surgery may be right for you if you keep
having bad heel pain after 6 to 12 months of home treatment. You might also
think about surgery if heel pain is affecting your ability to work or do
moderate exercise.

If you do need surgery, it will most likely
reduce your heel pain. Of the few people who need surgery, about 75 out of
100 have less pain than they did before surgery.2

Having surgery is not a guarantee that your heel
pain will go away. About 25 out of 100 people who have surgery continue to have
heel pain.3

FAQs

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis (say
"PLAN-ter fash-ee-EYE-tus") causes heel pain, which often becomes long-lasting
(chronic). It can happen when the long, flat ligament on the bottom of the foot
(plantar fascia ) becomes strained and starts to get small tears. These can cause
the ligament to become weak, swollen, and irritated (inflamed).

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain when
you take your first steps after getting out of bed or after sitting for a long
time.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis
is often caused by:

Problems with the way you walk, such as walking with an inward
twist or roll of the foot (pronation ).

Doing repetitive
activities, being overweight, or wearing bad shoes. These can make plantar
fasciitis worse.

All of these things can lead to small tears, which can
cause pain and swelling.

What are the risks of having plantar fasciitis?

Ongoing heel pain will make walking and standing painful. To relieve the
pain, you may change the way you walk. Over time, this may lead to more
discomfort and pain as well as other foot, leg, hip, or back problems.
Long-term (chronic) plantar fasciitis may limit your ability to work and enjoy
exercise or play sports.

How is it treated?

Nonsurgical treatment for
plantar fasciitis is easy to follow and usually works if you begin soon after
symptoms start. This treatment includes:

Rest.

Ice. If ice has not helped after trying it for 2 or 3 days, heat may help.

Surgery is usually not needed for plantar fasciitis. Most
people (95%) who have plantar fasciitis are able to relieve heel pain without
surgery.1 This means that out of 100 people who have
plantar fasciitis, 95 are able to relieve their pain without surgery and 5 are
not.

Surgery for plantar fasciitis involves
cutting (releasing) part of the plantar fascia
ligament to release the tension and relieve swelling. It may be done as open surgery, in which the surgeon makes a cut (incision) through the area. Or it may be done by inserting surgical tools through very small incisions (endoscopic surgery).

If this
treatment doesn't work, you may still have pain that limits your daily
activities.

You may still need to have surgery later.

Personal stories

Personal stories about surgery for plantar fasciitis

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

"I know that I am not the kind of person who can completely stop running for as long as it would take to heal my plantar fasciitis. The non-surgical treatments, like ice and my night splint, help relieve the pain, but the problem isn't getting any better. I know there are risks involved in having surgery, and I'm willing to accept that chance if I can keep running. My doctor has done a lot of plantar fascia surgery, and she says that I will probably be able to run again within a few weeks."

— John, age
37

"I have been thinking of looking for a different job for several years now. Right now, I am on my feet all day and I've gradually developed a lot of heel pain that my doctor says is due to plantar fasciitis. She says it may be related to the fact that I stand all day at work. I really don't want to have surgery, so I'm going to try some of the treatments she suggested while I look for another job that won't require me to stand all day."

— Tomas,
age 50

"I feel like I have given all the plantar fasciitis treatments a fair trial. I've had the problem for over a year now, and even though it has gotten a little better, the pain still interferes with my ability to walk or stand comfortably for very long. I'm no athlete, but I want to be able to walk comfortably. I heard that most people have less pain after surgery, so that's my next step."

— Mary Ann, age 45

"It is ironic that my plantar fasciitis didn't start until I started walking as part of my weight-loss program. Losing weight is supposed to help plantar fasciitis! My doctor said it isn't unusual for people like me, who have been inactive for a long time, to get heel pain when they start to exercise. He recommended some home treatments, like stretching, icing my foot, and doing another form of exercise such as riding a stationary bicycle, while still working to lose weight. It's been over 6 months, and my foot is definitely getting better, but slowly. But the fact that it is improving gives me hope that I can avoid surgery."

— Kate, age
47

3. What matters most to you?

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

Reasons to have surgery

Reasons to choose other treatment

I'm not willing to go through 6 to 12 months of home treatment.

I'm willing to go through 6 to 12 months of home treatment.

More important

Equally important

More important

I can't do daily activities because of my heel pain.

My heel pain doesn't prevent me from doing my daily activities.

More important

Equally important

More important

I accept the risks of surgery.

I feel that surgery is too risky for me.

More important

Equally important

More important

I want to have surgery so I can feel better right now.

I don't want to have surgery for any reason.

More important

Equally important

More important

I've already tried other treatment, and it hasn't worked.

I haven't tried other treatment yet.

More important

Equally important

More important

My other important reasons:

My other important reasons:

More important

Equally important

More important

4. Where are you leaning now?

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.

Having surgery

Using other treatment

Leaning toward

Undecided

Leaning toward

5. What else do you need to make your decision?

Check the facts

1.
Do most people with plantar fasciitis need surgery?

Yes

No

I'm not sure

You're right. Only about 5 out of 100 people with plantar fasciitis need surgery.

2.
Will surgery always cure your heel pain?

Yes

No

I'm not sure

You're right. Having surgery is not a guarantee that your heel pain will go away. About 25 out of 100 people who have surgery continue to have heel pain.

3.
If you have already tried treatment at home and you still have heel pain, should you think about having surgery?

Yes

No

I'm not sure

You are right. You might think about surgery if you've tried treatment at home for 6 to 12 months and you still have bad heel pain.

Decide what's next

1.
Do you understand the options available to you?

Yes

No

2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?

Yes

No

3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?

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